Fight On and Fight Loud

By Thomas DeLorenzo

May 4, 2012

Dear Fellow People Living with AIDS,

Today I am about to complete my first year of Law School, a hurdle I thought almost unachievable a few years back. When I finish my contracts final today, I want to scream what I have accomplished from the rooftops, not just for me, but for all people dealing with the everyday battle of being a Person Living with HIV/AIDS.

In spite of the bad days, the long doctors' visits, the constant pain, we can achieve. We can do even more than that; we can change the world!

Congratulations to all of us, for getting through another day, and being here to fight the fight.

Let's continue to fight so that others do not have to experience the Holocaust of loss that we experienced in the '80s and '90s. Let us also continue the fight so that our brothers and sisters in the cause, no matter where they may be, can have equal access to lifesaving drugs and treatments.

Let's just continue to work hard so that others may never forget we are still here, struggling, but still achieving.

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Until just a few years ago, Thomas DeLorenzo never would have believed he could become an HIV/AIDS activist. Before he was "officially" diagnosed with HIV in 2001 -- with 60 T cells and a viral load of 300,000 -- DeLorenzo had been living in denial. And until 2006, he was too busy dealing with the many side effects of his own HIV meds to think about helping anyone else. Then he and his doctors finally figured out the perfect med combo -- and, finally, DeLorenzo felt that he actually had a future.

DeLorenzo lives in Los Angeles with his partner and is currently attending law school at Southwestern University School of Law. His career goals include making sure all Americans have access to adequate and affordable health care. Prior to law school, DeLorenzo worked as a publicist in the entertainment industry, representing many award-winning celebrities.

In 2006, The New York Times named him an Unsung Hero in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS for his Christmas Goody Bag Project for the residents of the San Antonio AIDS Foundation Hospice. In 2008, DeLorenzo was the San Antonio AIDS Foundation's Angel of the Year. DeLorenzo's alma mater, Hofstra University, named him Alumnus of the Month in August 2009 for his work on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS. DeLorenzo was recently appointed to the City of West Hollywood's Disabilities Advisory Board.

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